Netsafe is New Zealand’s independent, non-profit online safety organisation. Embracing a technology-positive approach, we aim to help New Zealanders take advantage of the digital opportunities available while managing online challenges. We do this by providing practical tools, support, and advice. We operate independently, adjacent to government and law enforcement, with an unwavering focus on online safety. Our mission is to keep people of all ages safe online by providing free support, advice, and education to all ages.
We build trust with those who interact with our service by being professional and doing what we say we’ll do to the best of our ability.
We care about the work we do, the communities we serve and our own people.
We see our sector as a global community within which connection enables the sparks of opportunity to ignite.
Netsafe began in 1998 as a grassroots community education movement (the Internet Safety Group). Our founders recognised the growing potential and challenges of the internet and the online world. We rebranded as Netsafe in 2008, before smartphones and social media became part of everyday life.
Netsafe is now an internationally renowned, award-winning, leading voice that collaborates with government, law enforcement, tech industry and community organisations – both here and internationally - to achieve our mission of supporting people in New Zealand to have safe and positive online experiences.
Over the years Netsafe campaigns and products have been both innovative and impactful.
Netsafe continues to provide digital-led educational resources tailored for schools, parents, and youth, such as Hector’s World(/our-work/hector-s-world) which was a global success when it launched in 2005, and has since been relaunched in 2024.
Netsafe’s Youth Action Squad is also an integral part of how we work now, ensuring the voice of young people is central in our work for them.
In 2014 Netsafe became the national convener for the global movement Safer Internet Day(https://saferinternetday.nz/). This initiative, celebrated every February, raises awareness of online safety. Netsafe continues to lead New Zealand’s involvement in this vital campaign.
In 2017, we launched the Re:Scam chatbot, a tool designed to engage email scammers in prolonged, futile conversations, thereby reducing their capacity to harm others.
This project has since evolved with advanced AI integration to enhance its effectiveness, resulting in the relaunch of Re:Scam(/rescam) in 2024.
In 2023, Netsafe collaborated with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in the South Pacific to support sustainable development and enhance digital literacy in the Pacific Islands, aiming to build resilient and secure digital communities.
Meet our Senior Leadership team and members of the Board and learn more about the diverse backgrounds of our decision-makers here at Netsafe.
Learn how Netsafe works to improve online safety and give New Zealanders the knowledge and tools to protect themselves online.
Partner with Netsafe to collaborate and fund key online safety programmes and initiatives. Your organisation can play a vital role in supporting Kiwis to stay safer online.
Netsafe partners with public and private funders to achieve our mission to keep people of all ages safe online. See a list of our current supporters and collaborators.
Apply to join Netsafe as a member and contribute your input and support to advance our collective mission of creating a safer online world.
Our privacy statement explains what personal information we collect, how we store, use and share it, and how you can access or correct your own information.
You can contact Netsafe seven days a week for free, confidential and non-judgmental advice about an online issue impacting you or someone you know.
Our helpline is open weekdays from 8am til 8pm, and weekends & public holidays from 9am til 5pm.
